JP3766474B2 - Laminated glass with detector - Google Patents

Abstract

The windscreen includes an external glass sheet (1) and an internal glass sheet (8) separated by a layer of polyvinylbutyral (3). The internal glass sheet and the intermediary layer present through holes which receive an ultrasound transducer (4) resting on the interior surface of the external glass sheet. A cap (5) pushes a spring (7) which holds the transducer against the glass sheet surface. The cap edge is provided with a sealing ring (10). The cap is attached to the extremity of an arm articulated to a base (8).

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a detection system attached to the glass itself, and more particularly to a glass for ground, marine or air transport means, particularly comprising a system for detecting foreign matter such as water on the outer surface of the glass. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laminated glass comprising a detection system capable of supplying a signal capable of controlling the operation of a device such as a wiper device. The invention also relates to a laminated glass which is particularly suitable for providing such a detection system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Glasses equipped with a system for detecting water or steam have already been described, for example, in patent publications WO 94/00319, EP-A-0512653, EP-A-0626593. These detection systems are transducers that transmit at least one ultrasonic signal propagating in the thickness direction of the glass and receive a reflected signal indicating the presence or absence of foreign matter, and are directed toward the inner surface of the glass, that is, toward the interior of the vehicle. Including a transducer fixed on a glass surface. The reflected signal received by the transducer is converted to an electrical signal and compared to a reference threshold. The result of the comparison determines whether or not to start the operation of the wiper motor.
[0003]
In order to ensure the reliability of the detection system, it is necessary that the reflected signal is not subject to uncontrollable disturbances.
[0004]
However, if the detection system is arranged on the laminated glass by a known method, that is, if the detector is provided on the surface of the glass facing the vehicle interior as described in the above patent, the incident signal and the reflected signal An intermediate layer made of a synthetic resin material, usually made of plasticized polyvinyl butyral (PVB), which always passes is a source of significant disturbances for this signal. In particular, changes in the properties of PVB in response to changes in temperature, combined with the layer thickness (usually around 0.76 mm), cause a particular change in reflected signal attenuation, which is a simple electronic device, i.e. an assumed application. However, analysis and processing cannot be performed with an apparatus that does not cost prohibitive.
[0005]
This problem was solved by eliminating the washer of the synthetic resin material layer facing the detector between the detector and the outer surface of the glass. In particular, Patent Publication EP-A-0641696 describes a method for directly bonding a detector to an inner plate of an outer glass plate. In the first modification, holes are drilled in the plastic intermediate layer and the inner glass plate, and the holes thus formed are closed with plugs. In the second modification, a hole is drilled only in the intermediate layer, and the detector hole thus formed is simply closed with an inner glass plate.
[0006]
In all cases, only the method of semi-permanently mounting the detector on the glass was used, especially when the detector fails or works despite the glass being in perfect condition. When it is gone, or conversely, when the glass breaks, it is clearly a drawback if the detector is to be recovered without damaging the detector in good condition. In fact, the detector cost relative to the glass cost is usually not negligible and may be on the same scale as the glass cost.
[0007]
Patent publication WO95 / 25651 also describes a detector that is fixed to the inner surface of the glass in a removable manner. However, this is an optical detector, which is incomparably incomparable with the detector according to the invention and has a particularly large space requirement.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a result, there has been a need to be able to use glass with a detector that is highly reliable, lightweight, small and mounted in a removable manner.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to attach at least one hard glass plate, at least one synthetic resin material layer, and glass to detect the presence or absence of an object or foreign substance outside the glass using a signal. A laminated glass for a vehicle, in particular having a detector, which performs a substantial detection function, whose surface is kept in intimate contact with the outer glass plate, Occupying a space formed in the interior of the glass plate and / or layer other than the outer glass plate, the space providing the detector with a desired force to be applied on the inner surface of the glass plate by the detector. The laminated glass is closed in a removable manner with a cover and / or cap that acts against it.
[0010]
According to another feature of the invention,
The glass includes a first glass plate, a synthetic resin material layer, and a second glass plate from the outside toward the inside.
[0011]
The detector is an ultrasonic transducer that uses a liquide couplage that is interposed in a watertight manner between the face of the transducer that performs the detection function and the inner face of the outer glass plate.
[0012]
The binding liquid is protected by a waterproof lid that is pre-placed on the face of the transducer that performs the detection function and is removed before the detector is placed on the glass.
[0013]
The cover and / or cap exerts the desired force on the detector via an elastic system such as a spring.
[0014]
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description according to the attached drawings.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIG. The glass consists of an outer glass plate 1, an inner glass plate 2, and an intermediate layer 3 made of polyvinyl butyral, hereinafter referred to as PVB.
[0016]
Each of the plate 2 and the layer 3 has holes of the full thickness and facing each other. The ultrasonic transducer 4 was inserted into the space formed in this manner so that the transmitting and receiving surfaces were in contact with the inner surface of the outer plate 1. The cover 5 is arranged in the inner space of the cover 5 and exerts a force on the transducer 4 via the spring 7 in the closed position, so that the detector is pressed, tightly against the inner surface of the plate 1 and The contact state is always maintained, and as a result, the reliability of the operation is ensured. This force can be about 1-5 daN.
[0017]
The packing 10 attached around the cover 5 ensures waterproof sealing of the space for the transducer 4.
[0018]
The cover 5 is formed on the end of a member in the form of a connecting arm on the bottom plate 8, such as a bottom plate of a rearview mirror in an automobile, for example. The bottom plate 8 can be adhered on the inner surface of the glass, or can be fixed on one element of the vehicle body, preferably on a glass frame.
[0019]
The means 9 for fixing the cover 5 in its closed position is arranged on the bottom plate 8 and can be constituted by ratchet means.
[0020]
According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate 8 of the rearview mirror, not shown, includes an extension 11 with which the bottom plate forms an assembly fixedly coupled to the glass. The extension 11 extends over its entire thickness, at the end facing the outside of the glass, traversed by a specially formed hole in the protruding guide element 12 adapted to the shape of the space for the detector 4. The other end of the hole can be closed with a cover 6 in a manner that ensures waterproofness. Here, the assembly composed of the bottom plate 8 and its extension 11 is shown in a state where it is adhered on the inner surface of the glass only at the site of the bottom plate 8 itself, but the space for the detector 4 has. It is also possible to perform this bonding only at the site of the extension 11 around the opening.
[0021]
According to a very advantageous feature of the invention, the space of the detector 4 and the unique shape and corresponding shape of the protruding guide element 12 can be fitted only in one relative position. For example, such a shape does not include any axis of symmetry, or at most one axis meets its purpose. Thereby, the desired positioning of the room mirror can be easily obtained.
[0022]
On the other hand, according to the two modifications described above, the cover 5 or the cap 6 is separated from the bottom plate 8 by a sufficient distance so that the bottom plate can be easily opened and closed without the disadvantages caused by the space requirements of the excessive operating range. . Thereby, it is possible to overcome the problem of obstructing the operation of the ultrasonic transducer due to the vibration of the room mirror.
[0023]
Please refer to FIG. The detector 4 is not installed directly in the space closed by the hole in the PVB intermediate layer 3 and the inner glass plate 2, but is installed via the support member 13. The cross-sectional area of the portion of the member 13 received in the PVB layer 3 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the portion located at the thickness level of the glass plate 2. This feature ensures that the support member 13 is fixed in the composite structure in the final state of the glass, and finally PVB creeps during autoclave work as a supplement to this fixation.
[0024]
The same result may be obtained by providing a claw that is ratchet fixed on the inner surface of the inner glass plate 2 around the member 13. As mentioned above, assuming that one section of the member 13 or two sections as described above contain, for example, at most one axis of symmetry, the member 13 can be used in the production of glass, in particular when the components are stacked. And 2 and layer 3 are advantageously used to easily obtain the desired position of each other.
[0025]
The member 13 has a protrusion on the inner surface of the glass, the cover 5 can be fixed on the protrusion by screwing or ratcheting, and the spring 7 and the packing 10 are used as described above.
[0026]
Of course, the detector 4 is connected to the power supply in a manner that can be adapted by a person skilled in the art according to various configurations.
[0027]
The present invention is further a method of manufacturing a glass comprising an outer glass plate, an intermediate layer of PVB, and an inner glass plate,
a) drilling a hole in the glass plate for constituting the inner glass plate in a place for mounting a detector;
b) combining the inner glass plate and the second glass plate constituting the outer glass plate;
c) convex processing the assembly;
d) removing the washer from the location for mounting the detector on the PVB plate;
e) after interposing the PVB plate and possibly the support member, joining the two glass plates;
f) installing the detector, interposing the binding liquid, if any, and then keeping the detector in intimate contact with the inner surface of the outer glass plate;
g) attaching a waterproof and removable cover and / or cap.
[0028]
If there is no support member spacing in step e), this step e) can be carried out before step d).
[0029]
According to this method, the joining itself is preferably performed by continuously inserting the guide element or the support member into the hole provided in the inner glass plate and then into the hole provided in the PVB plate. This gives a perfect alignment of the stacked elements.
[0030]
The present invention further comprises an outer plate, wherein the inner glass plate comprises at least one hole drilled prior to heat treatment of the glass plate to allow attachment of a detector as described above; Also covered is a convex laminated glass (vitrage feuillete bombe) containing an inner plate and at least one intermediate layer.
[0031]
In order to enhance the mechanical properties of the glass, a compressive stress is advantageously applied around the holes in the inner glass plate. This stress, which can for example extend to a few millimeters, is obtained by a heat-quenching operation localized around the hole. The stress can be 5-40 megapascals. To do this, compressed air is blown into the holes in the inner plate that are normally arranged on the laminate consisting of the two glass plates during the cooling run following gravity bending, especially on the frame.
[0032]
In order to apply the makeup to the outer surface of the windshield or to cover the detector, it is possible to advantageously attach an opaque layer such as an enamel layer to the inner surface of the outer glass plate 1 during the production of the glass. It is advantageous. This deposition can be done by known methods, particularly silk screen printing, by the deposition of enamel components, and then fired simultaneously with the convex operation.
[0033]
When this adhesion is performed on the inner surface of the outer glass plate 1, it can usually be performed on an extension of a glass enamelled frame prepared for the glass used for bonding.
[0034]
This adhesion also makes it impossible to see even if there is a PVB adhesion abnormality near the hole in the glass. The enamel layer can be replaced with another opaque layer (black primary layer or the like).
[0035]
The last object of the present invention is a binding liquid that is pre-arranged on any of the surfaces and that is protected by a waterproof lid that is removed before the detector is placed on the glass. A detector which can be used for the production of glass as described above, characterized in that it comprises:
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of another embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 2 Hard glass plate 3 Synthetic resin material layer 4 Detector 5 Cover 6 Cap 7 Spring

Claims (20)

  Two glass plates (1, 2), at least one synthetic resin material layer (3), and one detector mounted on the glass to detect the presence or absence of objects or foreign objects outside the glass using signals The detector (4) comprising (4) and having a substantial detection function is maintained in a state in which its surface is in intimate contact with the inner surface of the outer glass plate (1). Occupies the space formed inside the glass plate (2) and layer (3) of glass other than the outer glass plate (1), and the space exerts a desired force on the detector (4) A laminated glass characterized in that it is detachably closed by using at least one of a cover (5) and a cap (6) to be acted on.   The glass according to claim 1, comprising a first glass plate (1), a synthetic resin material layer (3), and a second glass plate (2) from the outside toward the inside.   The detector (4) is an ultrasonic transducer that uses a bonding liquid interposed in a dense manner between the face of the transducer performing the detection function and the inner face of the outer glass plate (1). The glass according to claim 1 or 2.   Glass according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (5) or cap (6) exerts the desired force on the detector (4) via an elastic system.   Glass according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic system is a spring (7).   Glass according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover (5) is connected to the bottom plate (8) of the inner room mirror.   Means (9) for fixing the cover (5) in the closed position of the space for installation of the detector (4), the bottom plate (8) being fixed by suitable means on the inner surface of the glass or on one element of the body The glass according to claim 6, wherein the cover (5) is provided with a packing (10) around the space facing the space.   The cap (6) can close the space for the installation of the detector (4) by closing a through hole formed in the extension (11) of the bottom plate (8) of the inner room mirror. The bottom plate (8) is fixed on the inner surface of the glass by suitable means, and the through hole is at the end opposite the end housing the cap (6), the space for the detector (4) Glass according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed in a protruding guide element (12) that conforms to the shape of the glass.   Glass according to claim 8, characterized in that the bottom plate (8) of the room mirror and its extension (11) are fixed by being glued onto the inner surface of the glass only at the site of the bottom plate (8) itself. .   The bottom plate (8) of the room mirror and its extension (11) are adhered on the inner surface of the glass only at the site of the extension (11) around the opening of the space for the detector (4). The glass according to claim 8, wherein the glass is fixed by.   In order to easily obtain the desired positioning of the rearview mirror, the space for the installation of the detector (4) is such that the protruding guide element (12) can be accommodated only at a single position of the protruding guide element. The glass according to any one of claims 8 to 10, which has a shape capable of being formed.   The cover (5) or cap (6) is used to allow the rear mirror (8) to be easily opened and closed and to prevent the rear mirror vibration from interfering with the active detector (4). The glass according to claim 6, wherein the glass is separated from the glass by a sufficient distance.   The detector (4) is not directly installed in the space formed inside the synthetic resin material layer (3) and the second glass plate (2), but the synthetic resin material layer (3) and the second glass plate (2). Corresponding to the shape of the hole provided in the glass plate (2) of the glass plate, and desired positioning between the supporting member (13) and the two glass plates (1, 2) and the layer (3) constituting the glass 3. The support member (13) having a shape that allows the support member (13) to be fixed at a desired position in the final state of the glass. 5. The glass according to any one of 5 and 8 to 12. a) drilling a hole in the glass plate for constituting the inner glass plate in a place for mounting a detector;
b) combining the inner glass plate and the second glass plate constituting the outer glass plate;
c) convex bending a combination of two glass plates;
d) removing the disc from the location for mounting the detector on the PVB plate;
e) after interposing the PVB plate and possibly the support member, joining the two glass plates;
f) installing the detector, interposing the binding liquid, if any, and then keeping the detector in intimate contact with the inner surface of the outer glass plate;
g) attaching at least one of a waterproof and removable cover and cap;
3. A method for producing glass according to claim 2, characterized in that, in step e), if there is no support member interposition, this step e) can be carried out before step d). Inserting a guide element or support member into a hole provided in the inner glass plate;
And then continuously inserting into a hole provided in the PVB plate,
15. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that a perfect alignment of the elements of the stack is obtained. The inner glass plate has at least one hole drilled before heat treatment for bending the glass plate so as to enable attachment of the detector, and is formed into a convex laminated glass by bending. glass Align stated in any one of claims 1 to 13,. Glass Align stated in claim 16, around the hole and having a compressive stress. Enough to hide the visible detector from the outside of the glass, fit opaque layer, a claimed in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it is attached to a portion of the inner surface of the outer glass sheet (1) Glass.   2. The surface of claim 1, wherein any of the surfaces comprises a pre-arranged binding liquid that is protected by a waterproof lid that is removed before the detector is placed on the glass. The detector which can be used for manufacture of the glass as described in any one of thru | or 13.   The laminated glass according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the laminated glass is used in a transportation means.

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